Antaramian, Martin

Artist Statement

What makes something real? This question is what drives my artwork. The creation of language changed the way in which we perceive our world. Our realities have become constructed around objects or ideas that we can label. For this reason almost all thought is done within the parameters of language. While this does allow us to effectively communicate it also limits the way we think things should look. For example the definition of a table is An article of furniture with a flat horizontal top upheld by one or more supports while this is vague enough to encompass any feasible table if you were to ask an average person to draw a table they would most likely draw a flat rectangle with a leg in each corner. My inspiration comes from the desire to break these boundaries created by words. My current work has revolved around using thick pieces of wood that are carved down to a thin edge giving the illusion of just a thin veneer but still maintaining a solid functional piece.